The Busan KCC Aegis lost 84-104 against the Changwon LG Sakers in the first round of the 2023-2024 Korean Basketball Association regular season on Tuesday at Changwon Gymnasium. With the loss, KCC dropped to 2-3 and is in seventh place.
KCC suffered its first back-to-back losses of the season. After allowing Park Ji-hoon to hit the game-winning shot in the previous game, KCC suffered a 20-point defeat in Changwon.
It was a game that didn’t go their way from the start. Stymied by LG’s solid defense, KCC scored just 10 points in the first quarter and gave up 25 points on defense. Both offense and defense were problematic.
The tone of the first quarter was set for the rest of the game. Despite the efforts of Lee Ho-hyun and Kim Dong-hyun on offense, KCC was unable to control the opponent’s rainy three-point shooting, allowing a whopping 87 points in the third quarter.레모나토토 주소
The absence of Choi Jun-yong, who led the team to the Cup title shortly after his transfer, was greatly felt. Choi, who was a huge presence in transition, defense, and ball-handling, has yet to play a regular season game in a KCC uniform due to an adductor muscle injury.
In his absence, Heo Woong and Lee Seung-hyun, who have become more important in the offense, have been disappointing as of late in terms of scoring. Heo, who has shot less than 25 percent from the field in three straight games amidst intense opponent pressure, was held to just three points by LG’s salty defense. It was an unusual performance. Lee Seung-hyun also struggled, but managed six points.
Foreign player Alize Johnson also struggled, as the Korean players were less influential. After a string of strong performances, Johnson failed to record a double-double for the first time since joining the KBL with 12 points and nine rebounds against LG. His transition game was stifled by the LG defense, and his passes to teammates were noticeably fewer as his teammates struggled.
The defense also exposed significant problems. In the previous game, KCC’s perimeter defense was a problem, allowing 16 three-pointers in the game. While LG shot well, KCC’s defense clearly needs improvement.
Coach Jeon Chang-jin said after the game, “It was clear from today’s game that we have problems with our defense. We’ve been using our offense to make up for our weak defense, but today’s offense wasn’t smooth. I don’t think it’s a complete loss,” he said, accepting the defeat.
With the return of Song Kyo-chang and Choi Jun-yong and a full roster, KCC will be a force to be reckoned with as a super team. However, there is still time for the two players to return.
Choi’s timetable is still unclear, and Song Gyo-chang, who missed the Hangzhou Asian Games due to injury, is unlikely to play against Sono on July 17, the closest he will be to returning to full strength.
It’s a tough schedule for KCC, which is facing its first real test of the season. If the losing streak is prolonged, the mood could sag. It is important for them to taste victory as soon as possible.
After the Anyang-Changwon-Goyang-Wonju, KCC will face Sono on the 12th. Can the slumping KCC put a smile on their face with a win against Sono?